Ch.48Ways to Make Money

When people think of the northern part of the continent, they think of Fahrenheit.

This was only natural. Fahrenheit had established itself as the dominant power and strongest nation in the north for the past 300 years, while Amurtat was merely a fledgling nation with less than 10 years of history.

Of course, due to the recent rise of the steel industry and victories in war (though that’s somewhat debatable), Amurtat’s recognition had increased considerably. However, it was still far from being able to compete with Fahrenheit, which boasted a population of 10 million.

So what was the breakthrough solution?

What strategy could make Amurtat a nation that wouldn’t fall behind Fahrenheit?

The method was simple.

It was to leverage comparative advantages.

Fahrenheit was a landlocked country. Compared to Amurtat, which bordered the sea, its landscape was utterly boring.

The vast plains were good for farming and cattle grazing, but can people live on bread and meat alone? Don’t they need to heal occasionally by enjoying beautiful scenery?

At least in this world, concepts like tourism and relaxation existed, so it wasn’t uncommon for Fahrenheit’s wealthy to travel to places with better scenery instead of staying in their monotonous homeland.

The same was true for other city-states as well.

But what about Amurtat?

To the north, it nestled against mountains where the massive factory of Steelyard rose majestically. To the west stood the Western Forest, stretching so high it could block the sun.

And the east? A milky-white sea (stained by herring milt) pushed against the rising sun amid busy fishermen, while to the south lay squishy marshlands where all sorts of rare creatures (including slimes) thrived.

“Don’t you get the vibe? We should develop our tourism industry.”

“Tourism… sir?”

“Yes. Tourism.”

To be honest, it was becoming difficult for Amurtat to attract more capital for growth.

Because if there was any driving force for investment, it would go to Fahrenheit, not Amurtat.

It felt like being the Korean Peninsula right next to the Chinese mainland.

At least they don’t have something like Sinocentrism over there. If they did, I might be knocking my head before Marcus, the Grand Monarch of Fahrenheit, by now.

“Though we’re growing steadily, we lack one absolute thing. Do you know what that is?”

“Um… money, sir?”

“Exactly. Money.”

We were making decent profits from the steel industry and earning good money by salting herring and various fish from the sea to supply to the Adventurers’ Guild, but these were just “decent” or “good” profits. The revenue was frustratingly inadequate to do anything more with it.

We had enough money to build expensive buildings, but insufficient capital to launch new industries.

Unlike other monarchs, as the ruler of this country, I couldn’t tolerate this ambiguous state.

“So from now on, we will create a special tourism zone.”

“…”

The aide looked at me with eyes that suggested there was no need to respond anymore.

*

“Paint it.”

Splash!

“…”

“I said paint it.”

The action was carried out immediately. Following my orders, all the buildings in Pale Harbor began to be painted white.

When you think of the sea, you think of freshness! And freshness means blue! Not some compromising color like sky blue!

It’s called Pale Harbor, so everything gets painted white!

Of course, being in the north, there’s no warm sunshine, and anyone wandering around in a straw hat and dress would likely die of frostbite, but wouldn’t white coordination look better than the rustling scent of trees?

“Supervisor.”

“What?”

“What does this look like we’re doing?”

“Painting with white paint, isn’t it?”

“It looks like we’re smearing herring milt on the walls.”

“…”

“Supervisor.”

“I didn’t laugh.”

“Yes, you did.”

“No, I didn’t.”

Of course, Pale Harbor was named after how the sea turns cloudy with herring milt during spawning season. From the fishermen’s perspective, they had to come home to see their entire village covered in what looked like ejaculate.

But what could they do? I gave the order. If they’re upset, they can go out to sea and get killed by a kraken.

“This is… you know. A prayer for fertility.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to give financial support with the money spent on this paint?”

“One more word and I’ll bring out the whip.”

“Hmph.”

“Don’t ‘hmph’ either.”

“Mmph.”

I understand, my people. It’s hard now, and you may not understand why we’re doing this. But soon, when tourists start coming in, the first thing to get fat won’t be my treasury but your wallets. Just a little patience, and the rewards will come.

And why am I trying to create a Mediterranean vibe in this northern sea?

The reason is simple.

Because that’s all I have left in my head.

Rather than awkwardly developing something that fits the environment, pretending to be crazy and creating an otherworldly atmosphere is a business strategy proven to make more money even in modern times.

I won’t accept any objections.

Because I’m the monarch!

*

“So you want us to put up this net from here to there?”

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

“To protect tourists from metal fragments, sparks, and soot.”

“And what about us?”

“After you’ve put up all the nets on the roads, I’ll cut up what’s left and distribute it.”

“Hmm…”

And Steelyard couldn’t escape my clutches either. Since we couldn’t let tourists breathe in pollution, I had thin mesh fabric specially treated to resist fire, then fitted onto frames made of steel along the main passages—essentially small greenhouses shaped to fit the pathways.

Of course, since vinyl doesn’t exist in this world yet, we had to use thin mesh fabric, but preliminary tests confirmed it could significantly block pollution, so there was no need to doubt its safety.

Although they were criminals, their families received generous rewards, so they could rest in peace.

“You’re already finished? That seems like a lie. Steelyard is so vast, yet in just a week…”

“Supervisor, my lord. There’s not a man working here whose lungs aren’t filled with coal dust. A week is more than enough time. All we had to do was bend iron, apply adhesive, and attach fabric. It’s not that time-consuming. We’re not amateurs.”

“Hmm… I suppose you’re right.”

Honestly, I thought the Steelyard project would take the longest, but once work began, it was completed in just a week.

Indeed, professionals with experience are different… Clapping like a seal, I gifted the metallurgists of Steelyard masks made from mesh fabric as promised, along with a bundle of smoked herring.

Those who prove their worth deserve appropriate rewards.

*

“I’m begging you! Please cooperate!!!”

At the Western Forest trading post, the administrators were clinging to the ankles of elves who had come to trade.

“No… no… it’s impossible! We have no experience mixing with you Ilians, let alone dealing with nobles and wealthy people…”

“That awkwardness is the selling point!?!? Even if you just gesture without saying anything, money will duplicate itself!!!”

The reason was to use elves as guides. Anyone wealthy or noble enough to tour Amurtat would likely be both rich and have seen most ordinary things, so they would scoff at standard hospitality.

But what if the guide was an elf?

Those big-eared, beautiful, well-figured elves?!

People would fly from one end of the continent to the other just to see them. With plenty of money in tow, of course.

“You’re a race that traverses forests and crosses mountain ranges! Is it so difficult to just walk around with people and tell them about this place and that?”

“That’s for survival, not for money…”

“If you agree to be guides, I’ll double the market price for everything being traded now.”

“Fine, let’s give it a try.”

Ah, elves…

Those who walk the forests have succumbed to the pressure of those who cut them down—this too can be called a form of progress.

*

And in February of Amurtat’s 7th year.

In Fahrenheit’s Grand Plaza, on the massive bulletin board that shared information with nobles and the wealthy, Amurtat’s announcement was posted:

[♚♚AMUR☆TAT♚♚TOURISM$$ELF GUIDES☜☜100% GUARANTEED※♜STEELYARD♜PALE HARBOR￥AMURTAT CITY§§TOURISM PACKAGE§§★SPECIAL PRICE★FREE ELF ACCESSORIES@@IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE★ONE-WEEK FULL COURSE/FRIENDLY SERVICE/FAMILY TOURS/PRIVATE TOURS/HOUSE TOURS/FULL PACKAGE/ELF GUIDE ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL/PATROL CAPTAIN TITANIA/CUTE YOUNGEST LILY/★【AMURTAT TOURISM PACKAGE】★ 24 HOURS OPEN YEAR-ROUND]